Mop fixture with clamp arm

ABSTRACT

A mop fixture for mounting a mop head to a mop handle comprises an elongate upper clamp base body with a boss for connection to a mop handle end. A lower swing arm is swingably attached for a clamping relationship with the clamp base body and retains the mop head between the clamp base body and the lower swing arm. A latch end on the swing arm is selectively connectable to the clamp base body at a latch connection. A latch release mechanism in the clamp base body is provided for ease of disconnection of the swing arm latch end from the latch connection for removal and replacement of the mop head.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to fixtures for mounting mop heads and in particular, is directed to a mop fixture designed for ease of removal and replacement of the mop head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Mop fixtures are used to connect a mop head to a mop handle. The mop head is the fabric or yarn part generally consisting of gathered lengths of yarn or strips of fibrous material which are absorbent and used for cleaning. The fixture may be integrally attached to the mop head and/or the fixture may be permanently attached, such as by staple, to the mop handle. These are usually disposable mops and are inexpensive. Higher quality mops feature removable and replaceable heads and a better quality fixture able to withstand extended use. Usually, these mop fixtures have been made of metal with a top bar and a lower clamp portion which fits beneath the center of the mop head so that the gathered mid-portion of the head is captured between upper and lower clamp components. The fixture is often detachable from the handle to reduce shipping bulk and is often frictionally engaged or has a screw-on connection to the mop handle. Mop fixtures have been made of plastic material of sufficient sturdiness to withstand heavy duty use as a mop. A benefit of a plastic mop fixture is obtained through fewer parts in the manufacturing process. Also, plastic tends to present a cleaner and more sanitary appearance, there being no tendency to rust or otherwise corrode, as is common in long use metal fixtures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention provides a mop fixture which is selectively attachable to a mop handle and in which a mop head can be easily installed, then removed, and replaced as necessary. The mop fixture is preferably a sturdy plastic material and includes an upper clamp base and a lower swing arm hingeably mounted to one end of the clamp base. The other end of the swing arm includes a latch part which connects with a latch mechanism in the mating end of the upper clamp body. The latch portion and the latch mechanism snap together so that the mop is firmly held within the clamping arrangement of the mop fixture. A release mechanism, generally including a release lever, is situated adjacent the clamp parts of the clamp body and when the release lever is rotated, the latch parts are urged apart so that the swing arm opens and the mop can be removed.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The objects of the present invention are:

[0005] 1. To provide a mop fixture by which a mop head can be easily removed and replaced;

[0006] 2. To provide such a mop fixture which is readily and firmly attachable to a mop handle;

[0007] 3. To provide such a mop fixture which is capable of receiving a variety of mop heads;

[0008] 4. To provide such a mop fixture which is well-adapted for the intended purpose.

[0009] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which provides a disclosure of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a prospective view of the mop fixture shown connected to a mop handle and having a mop head connected.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view showing operation of the mop fixture.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the mop fixture.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the mop fixture.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the mop fixture.

[0015]FIG. 6 is an opposite side elevational view of the mop fixture.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

[0017] Referring to the drawings in more detail:

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a mop fixture 1 is affixed to a mop handle 2 and attaches a mop head 3 so that the assembly can be used for cleaning purposes. The mop handle 2 is generally elongate and preferably has a hollow end at the attachment juncture with the mop fixture 1. The mop head 3, in the illustrated example, is shown to be an assemblage of rolled or folded absorbent fabric ribbons which depend in two halves from the fixture 1. The mop head 3 is connected at its mid-portion to the mop fixture 1. Other suitable mop heads include those made out of coiled windings of thick mop yarns, strips of synthetic sponge material, and the like.

[0019] The mop fixture 1 is preferably formed of a relatively stiff plastic and has an upper clamp base body 5. The body 5 is elongate, oriented transverse to the length of the mop handle 2, and has first and second ends 6 and 7 with a centrally mounted tubular boss 9 extending upwardly. The boss 9 is sized to fit inside the hollow end of a mop handle 2, has a molded reinforcing ring base 10 and upstanding vanes 11 extending longitudinally along the boss 9 and positioned at 120 degree arcs. Basal arcuate sections 13 stand up from the ring base 10 and extend circumferentially around the boss 9 and provide an outer surface coincident with the edges of the vanes 11 to provide a tight, friction fit engagement with the interior wall of the hollow end of the mop handle 2. Adhesives may be used in the handle/fixture connection.

[0020] The clamp base body first and second ends 6 and 7 slope away from a thickened middle of the base body 5 and terminate in end portions attaching a lower swing arm 15 to the body 5. The upper clamp base body second end 7 comprises a hinge end to which the lower swing arm 15 is mounted for swinging movement. The hinge components consist of a pin end 16 formed on the swing arm 15 and which is received in slots 17 and retained therein by over-centered teeth 18 at the entrance to the slots 17 so that once the pin end 16 is inserted, it cannot be removed. A recess 20 is formed in the second or hinge end 7 of the base body 5.

[0021] The lower swing arm 15 is somewhat U-shaped and has an elongate mid-portion 22 and spaced upstanding hinge and latch ends 23 and 24. The length of the hinge and latch ends 23 and 24 space the mid-portion 22 from the upper clamp base body 5 a sufficient distance to accommodate the thickness of the mop head 3. The mid-portion 22 is preferably formed thicker so as to resist deformation and has a plurality of upstanding teeth 26 which project into the mop head 3 and secure it. The latch end 24 terminates in an in-turned notch 28 with a ramp 29 to the termination. The first end 6 of the clamp base body 5 is the latch end and includes an end cross-bar 32 backed by a slot 33. Fastening the swing arm latch end 24 into the clamp base body latch end 6 is easily done by merely swinging the swing arm 15 upwardly until the notch 28 slips over the cross-bar 32 and resiliently rebounds inwardly in a snap fit.

[0022] To disengage the latch end 24, the mop fixture 1 is preferably provided with a release mechanism 25. In the illustrated example, the release mechanism is a means that includes a release lever 37 contained in a recess 38 and swingably mounted by an off-set hinge pin 40. The release lever 37 terminates in a nose 42 protruding beyond the hinge pin 40 so that as the release lever 37 is rotated upwardly, the lever nose 42 swings downwardly upon the tooth ramp 29, urging the notch 28 outwardly from the cross-bar 32 to disconnect the latch end 24.

[0023] In use, the mop fixture 1 is fitted to the end of a mop handle 2 as described and the mop head 3 is connected into the mop fixture 1. Various types of mop heads may be used, and when soiled or worn-out, the mop head 3 may be removed and replaced. Removal is easy by simply lifting up on the free end of the release lever 37 which causes the swing arm latch end 24 to disengage. The swing arm 15 can be swung downwardly and the mop head 3 removed. Replacement of the mop head with a new or clean one is also easily accomplished by merely placing the head spread out on the swing arm 15 and then swinging the arm upwardly until the notch 28 of the latch end 24 snaps into position. 

What is claimed and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:
 1. A fixture for mounting a mop head to a mop handle comprising: a. an elongate upper clamp base body with first and second ends and with a centrally mounted tubular boss extending upwardly for engagement with a mop handle end; b. a lower swing arm swingable into clamping relationship with said clamp base body to hold and retain a mop head there between, the swing arm having an elongate portion and spaced, upstanding hinge end and latch ends, the hinge end swingably connected to said clamp base body first and the latch end being selectively connectable to said clamp base body second end; and c. a latch connection at said clamp base body second end for selective engagement with said swing arm latch end so that said mop head may be removed and replaced.
 2. The fixture set forth in claim 1 including a latch release mechanism at said clamp base body second end for disconnection of said swing arm latch end from said latch connection.
 3. The fixture set forth in claim 2 wherein: a. said swing arm latch end has a tooth and ramp; b. said latch connection has a cross piece for snap-in engagement with said tooth; and c. said release mechanism includes a lever and a nose portion engageable with said ramp so that as said lever is swung open, said nose portion pushes against said ramp to disconnect said tooth from said latch connection.
 4. The fixture set forth in claim 1 wherein said swing arm hinge end and latch end extend upwardly from said elongate portion to form a space between said clamp base body and said swing arm for receipt of said mop head, and spikes extend upwardly from said swing arm elongate portion for protruding into said mop head.
 5. The fixture set forth in claim 1 wherein said tubular boss has a plurality of longitudinal vanes and basal arcuate sections sized for snug fitting into a hollow end of said mop handle.
 6. A fixture for mounting a mop head to a mop handle comprising: a. an elongate clamp base body with first and second ends and having a centrally mounted tubular boss extending upwardly and perpendicularly to the clamp base body, the boss having a diameter sized for fitting inside a hollow end of a mop handle end with exterior contact vanes and arcuate buttresses engaging said mop handle hollow end; b. a lower swing arm swingable into clamping relationship against said clamp base to hold a mop head therebetween, the swing arm having a hinge end swingably connected to a first end of the clamp base body and an opposite toothed latch end selectively connectable to a second end of the clamp base body; and c. a latch connection at said second end of the clamp base body and having a crossbar for said toothed latch end of said swing arm to snap over and a swingably mounted disengagement lever adjacent said crossbar and which bears against said toothed latch end to disengage same when said disengagement lever is swung open. 